Silverculture Discussion Forums Generating Many Ideas

VICTORIA – Forest sector stakeholders and First Nations continue to provide valuable input to a silviculture discussion paper released in March, said Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell today.The discussion paper, Growing Opportunities: A New Vision for Silviculture in B.C., seeks to develop a new framework to help guide silviculture investments and make British Columbia a world leader in growing trees.

“We’ve been consulting with some of the most knowledgeable and insightful groups within B.C.’s forest sector,” said Bell. “Their expert advice will help ensure our forests provide the greatest possible benefits to British Columbians.”

Since the discussion paper was released in March, the Ministry of Forests and Range has received 126 web-based responses and 25 written responses from individuals and groups involved in silviculture. The contributors range from contractors, land managers and First Nations, to Ministry of Forests and Range staff.

“I’m extremely pleased with the enthusiasm the stakeholders have demonstrated,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Silviculture John Rustad. “Their contributions will help us determine how to best encourage activities that maximize productivity, value, and support forest resiliency.”

Three First Nations focus group meetings and three stakeholder focus group meetings took place in early September. The ideas generated at these sessions highlighted how silviculture is interconnected with many aspects of forest management, including tenures, strategic forest management objectives, land use planning and First Nations interests, and showed a strong commitment to ensuring our silviculture activities result in healthy, resilient and valuable forests for future generations.

The public can continue to provide input into the discussion paper until Sept. 30, 2009. The Ministry of Forests and Range will consider all information gathered during the public review period when it develops recommendations for a new silviculture framework. Recommended potential policy and legislation stages will be further consulted with industry and First Nations in early 2010.